I'm new to tripods, but not to dogs, and am considering adoption of a 9 month old yellow medium Lab, about 45 pounds.  She's recently had a rear amputation.  I've done quite a bit of reading on tripods and am now aware of the special considerations like joint care, keeping weight down, and pad/elbow care.

However, I'm still trying to convince myself that she'll eventually be able to have the same stamina as a four legged counterpart.  I've seen countless stories and videos online about how tripods are just as capable physically of playing and running, but have read little specifically pertaining to stamina.

I run 5 miles 3 times a week, and like to go for long hikes on weekends and camping trips.  I'd love for the dog to be able to participate in these activities, but am wondering if it's too much to ask a tripod to learn to handle those types of distances.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Jason

I can only let you know what our tripawd's activity level/stamina is like for comparison, but she is also a young tripawd – only just turned 2. Generally, her stamina is great… as long as I take her to the beach/bay. We go almost every day for an hour and she runs the entire time, either playing with her friends or run/walking with me. On the days we run/walk we probably go 4 – 4 1/2 miles and she has no problems with that; doesn't lay down until we get back to the car and only stops for water breaks (note that even when I am walking, she is generally running ahead and then running back to me). However, having said that, by comparison, if we run/walk in our neighborhood (which is quite hilly) she can only go about 20 or 30 min, and she ALWAYS has to lay down and rest at least once.

I think the big difference in what she can handle is due to a few things: (1) the terrain – hilly v. flat (2) the temperature – she goes in the water and cools herself off at the bay and (3) the impact – concrete/asphalt v. soft sand/dirt

Based on my experiences with Abby, I don't think a tripawd – even a young fit one – could handle a 5 mile run on the streets. If you are running/hiking on a trail and there's a stream for cooling off, then maybe.

As for the floors, our house is all hardwood and she really does fine on it. We did have stairs at our prior house and she did fine on those as well, but they were carpeted. I'm not sure about a tripawd on slick stairs…

I think it's good that you are asking and trying to find a dog that will fit in with your active life style. It's nice that you would consider a tripawd, but maybe the dog wouldn't be the best fit for you. But better to ask now than to be caught in a situation that's not ideal for both of you.

Hope that helps.

Jackie, Abby's mom

Thanks for all the helpful advice.  I've gone through much of the other forums at this point looking for related information.  My conclusion is that while I shouldn't expect extreme hiking or running stamina, it sounds like they can progress to be very active.

The difficult part is always assessment.  While I'm very active, my wife and I are also very much home bodies, and as such, a more mellow disposition at home is desired.  This is a bit of an oxymoron, as a dog mellow enough at home may not be able to do the long excursions, while a dog that can may be too hyper at home.  This particular lab is on the lower energy level for one this young, maybe partly due to loss of a leg, and partly due to personality.  It kind of seemed like a good hybrid.

She has the sweetest disposition otherwise, and is being fostered with help from a great no kill shelter, so I have no worry that if I don't adopt, she will still find an excellent loving home.

I'll continue to soul search…

I had a front amputee black lab and she was amazing.  Before her amputation, we took her everywhere, snowshoeing, backpacking, camping, hunting, you name it.  While she had the same zeal for life and the refusal to slow down, I just knew she would not be able to to the same activities, at least for long durations.  We continued to take her camping and hiking but we made adjustments for her.  We noticed, and read a lot on rehabbing, that the range of motion had no alternative but to change so her body had to completely adapt.  She was a bounce off the walls type labradork who continued to chase rabbits and swim in the pool but we had to make conscious efforts to slow her down once in a while to minimize the stress on her body.  My house is all hard wood and she got around just fine.  Some throw rugs and no slip booties never hurt but you would be amazed at what they are capable of.  If you do decide to adopt this pup, she will not dissappoint!

A Tripawd's ABILITY to run, jump, hike & jog should not be confused with what the appropriate activity level is for them.

Particularly, young, healthy three legged dogs will often be able to keep up with their four pawed friends and active humans….But you have to consider the long term wear & tear on their bodies.  Their shock absorbing ability is diminished. There skeletal system takes a thrashing. For example…rear leg amps often try to compensate for this by leaning forward, more so if they are experiencing any difficulties with their back limb or spine. It's something so subtle, you may not notice until after a suprisingly short time span, there is muscle wasting in the rear limb. It's takes constant vigilance.

Most dogs, as they age, are going to develop arthritis. Many very active dogs, an orthopedic issue. Anyone who has experienced this in any dog knows the struggle.. financially, humanely, emotionally…it is to manage. When a dog is missing their spare, the effects are exaggerated. Their energy expenditure is also multiplied with every step (often why they pant more).

It is up to us to constantly monitor their activity and impose limitations that may, in their youth, seem unnecessary. If you do opt to adopt this dog, consulting with a rehab vet and a veterinary chiropractor prior to imposing your very active lifestyle on her would be wise.

I think it's also worth considering, some of the experiences of the young dogs shared here, are dogs who have cancer…their lifespans are not what you are expecting from this traumatic amputee and therefore, long term expectations are different. Some days I allow my 13+ y/o Tripawd to run, jump twist and chase every male dog at the beach, knowing she will pay for it for a week….but she's 13 and has cancer…it's all a trade off…

Best of luck with your decision to do the best to meet both of your needs.